Madhavi (cilappatikaram)

Madhavi is a key character in the ancient Tamil epic "Cilapathikaram". She was a dancer at Kaveripoompattinam.

Plot

Kovalan, the son of a wealthy merchant and the husband of Kannagi, met Madhavi in a performance in Chozha king Karikalan's court. Enamoured by her beauty, he fell in love with her. Eventually, Kovalan left his wife and moved in with Madhavi, with whom he stayed for a year. Madhavi bore him a daughter Manimekalai. However, after spending all his money on Madhavi, he realised his mistakes and returned to his wife.

Kovalan and his wife left for Madurai to restore their fortunes by trade. In an unfortunate twist of events, he was mistakenly arrested for having stolen the queen's anklet and beheaded. on hearing this, Kannagi set out to the court of the Pandya king Neduncheziyan and proved her husband's innocence. On realising his mistake, the king died instantly.

Upon learning the tragic turn of events, Madhavi shaved her head and became a Buddhist nun.